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| St. Kitts and Nevis' Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas (l) as Professional Technologies (Anguilla) Limited, Mr. Abdul Pandor watches as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Mr. Oaklyn Peets sign the contract documents. |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 17TH 2006 - The start of construction of the multi-million dollar West Basseterre By-Pass Road will have significant impact on the social and economic development of St. Kitts and Nevis and comes at a time when the national economy is being transformed.
Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transportation and Posts, Dr. the Hon. Earl Martin speaking at the Contract Signing and Ground Breaking for the EC$18 million project on Tuesday said that with the closure of the sugar industry and the concentrated focus on the development of the service industry, this artery not only compliments the economic transformation but it specifically compliments and boost the tourism sector.
"Several areas on the outskirts of Basseterre previously inaccessible would now become accessible to all. Tourists can now see new areas of interest. Areas like Buckley's, Olivees, La Guerite, Dewars, and others, would now witness the construction of new businesses and a greater influx of new residents to these areas," said Dr. Martin.
Minister Martin also said that new villages are also likely to develop along the periphery of the new highway as with increased accessibility comes an increased demand for various types of development.
He pointed out that cottage industries like handicraft, small shops, grocery stores, are few examples of the businesses to which this road network will give rise and a new cadré of entrepreneurs is likely to emerge to take advantage of this new development.
Dr. Martin said the improved road network has the capacity to effect a greater spread of population to the north of Basseterre resulting in an urban sprawl as traffic from Challengers, Old Road, Sandy Point, St. Paul's and other areas will now use the highway as a throughput and as a point of convergence.
~~Adz:Right~~"With such improved developments there will be varied opportunities for employment within the new areas to be opened " even access to new farmlands would provide ample opportunities for adventure, thus boosting the national economic transformation," said Minister Martin, who noted that taxi drivers and motor omnibus drivers will also have greater choice because of diversity within the transport network.
He noted that since 1995, the number of vehicles using the roads in St. Kitts has increased four (4) folds and there has been a corresponding increase in wear and tear and significant rise in maintenance costs.
Dr. Martin said that the new highway will provide an alternative in which there is diversity, easement and a wider distribution and spread of the impact from these vehicles on the existing roadways.
The West By-Pass Road, he pointed out is a new vision of the governing St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration and signals the development of a new corridor of development in keeping with the demands of the National Economy.
Dr. Martin said that as St. Kitts and Nevis adjusts to new lifestyles away from sugar agriculture, this new highway will serve to encourage the growth of other forms of agriculture, the products from which can be transported to markets in Cayon, St. Peters, Sandy Point or Basseterre with ease and efficiency.
The construction of the West-Basseterre By-Pass Road will also contribute to the efficiencies and productive capacities as a nation, to better cope with the challenges of this competitive age.
"It's construction is timely, it will add a new dimension to the transport infrastructure and will provide a well needed alterative to the increased traffic congestion in the capital," said the Public Works Minister, who noted that both vehicular and pedestrian traffic destined for the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport or the eastern side, but which originate in the far west, could now rest assured that they will not be held up or delayed through Basseterre. This over the years has become increasing congested especially during rush hours," said Minister Martin.
Dr. Martin said that St. Kitts and Nevis continues on its development path it is incumbent upon his Ministry to analyse and assess this development thrust with a view to sustaining it by way of new structures.
"The West Basseterre Bypass Road is a crucial transportation artery which adds significant value and mileage to the national road network. The road way will not only provide greater access for all of us but it will also serve as a growth pole for the development of new businesses at strategic points along the way. It will positively impact land values and add variety to the land use pattern of the area," he added.
~~Adz:Left~~Dr. Martin used the occasion to applaud the valiant effort which reflects the objective of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to increase infrastructural growth and development thus stimulating growth of the Business Sector.
The project constitutes the construction of four kilometers of new road works and four (4) bridge structures running along the urban corridor and for the first time linking east and west by-passing Basseterre on the northern side. It will stretch from the round-a-bout at the Kim Collins Highway in the east to Camps in the far west.
Dr. Martin said that several parcels of privately owned lands will be used for the project and his Ministry has organized a series of meetings to sensitise owners to the developments regarding the plans to construct the highway.
"We are all partners in this development thrust and it was particularly heartwarming to hear you affirm that you will not stand in the way of progress of the country but will do whatever is necessary to move the process forward. I applaud you for such high level of civic mindedness patriotism and maturity. It is quite clear in my mind that our people, who are our partners have understood the need for proper infrastructural development and continual economic growth," said Dr. Martin.
